Shirley Wolpert, 97

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Shirley Sugarman Wolpert, of Providence and Narragansett, passed away on June 29, 2023, after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Irving Wolpert.

Born in Providence, a daughter of the late Robert and Jennie (Rudis) Sugarman, she was a lifelong resident of the city.

A graduate of Classical High School, class of 1942, Shirley earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pembroke College in 1946. She later worked as a receptionist at the Maddock Alumni Center at Brown University, greeting a variety of visitors, from George Harrison to Howard Cosell to foreign dignitaries, over the 28 years she was there. Shirley was a very active and devoted member of the Pembroke Club of Providence for many years.

An avid Patriots fan, she especially enjoyed the years Tom Brady was quarterback and was very sad to see him leave New England. Shirley truly loved summers spent with family at her home in Narragansett and always enjoyed time spent at Narragansett Town Beach.

She is survived by two children, Bruce Wolpert and his wife, Marlene Fishman Wolpert, of Providence and Nancy Rachman and her husband, Dr. Arnold Rachman, of Manhattan, New York; two grandchildren, Michael Wolpert and his wife, Ashley, and Jonathan Wolpert and his wife, Serena; three great-grandchildren, Rachel, Matthew and Olivia and several nieces and nephews, including Paul, Marjorie and Judi with whom she was very close. She was the sister of the late Dr. Herman Sugarman and Blossom Roodin.

The Wolpert family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Shirley’s caregivers for the kindness and compassionate care they had given her over the past year.

Contributions may be made to the Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island, 85 Taft Ave., Providence, RI 02906.